Just a quick blog to ask that people please not buy from this company from India - JPM Beads N Findings - they have lifted quite a few of my bead photos - even some more recent ones - to use on their website to lure people to buy their mass-produced beads. This company did not ask my permission to use my images - they just lifted them off of my website Lampwork.net.
There are a ton of images of mine all over their site - some to represent beads they sell, and some used as graphical ads and column headers. It appears that they have used the images of several lampwork beadmakers - mixed in with what appears to be their own images of their inferior work.
I have dealt with this kind of thing for years, and I have no real recourse. The only thing I can do is inform the public and ask for your understanding. Please feel free to spread the word if you feel inclined to do so.
And now I have to go try and make beads with a heavy heart. This kind of thing always steals my creative joy.
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I can't believe a company would risk their reputation to do that! And surely if someone did buy from them expecting to receive high quality beads then get crappy beads they would want their money back. Artist beads are easily distinguished from mass produced beads. I will spread the word about this dodgy company.
ReplyDeleteI know this store but I didn't know they use other artists' pictures..
ReplyDeleteWhen I started my own online jewelry components store a few years ago, I decided to buy some Indian lampwork beads. That was the worst shopping experience ever.
The first store took my money ($500) and sent nothing. I've chosen the super slow&cheap shipping, so after 3 months of waiting I realized I won't receive anything, seller started to ignore my emails and it was too late for chargeback. Oh my.
I didn't give up and decided to buy beads from another Indian seller, this time a smaller value of beads just to make sure they really have the beads and to check the quality. A bunch of beads arrived, I still have them pictured here at my store blog:
http://greenbird.ru/blog/2008/06/19/vyigrajte-nabor-busin-lampvork/#more-33
They were so badly packed, I couldn't believe my eyes. All beads were in the same cotton bag, no bubblewrap, nothing like that. A lot of them arrived broken, some others broke later, particularly the ones with dots and flowers. I believe they weren't annealed. And holes weren't cleaned at all, the beads arrived covered in separator dust. Terrible!
So I decided not to deal with Indian lampwork sellers, and I encourage everyone to do so :)
And Kandice, please don't feel so bad about that. I know it's not good, but please don't let them affect you.
This makes my blood boil.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow lampwork artist, we have to compete with these sellers and have to continually tell the consumer WHY our beads are so much better.
Not only do they steal pictures, we also have to compete with some exporters copying the bead designs WE create and selling them by the thousands as 'Artisan Beads'
GIRL OF FALL: I worked in a bead shop once, and saw how the indian glass beads arrived, and yes, I was disgusted what's worse is, now that I trade a markets nearly every weekend, people are skeptical as to the quality of my beads based on the experiences they have had with indian glass beads, random cracking, chips, powder etc...
Even though they would pretend to not understand, I would ring these nasty buggers and give them a serve.
Kandice: no one could hope to match the beauty and perfection displayed in your beads, they are just lovely and I have always admired your work and the colours you use.
Dont let good for nothing thieves ruin your day, I know its hard to be creative when your mojo has taken a leave day :O) remember the support you have from your fellow pyromaniacs, we'll help spread the word!!!!
Thank you for letting us know! The important thing is to get the word out so that consumers can tell the difference.
ReplyDeleteI almost had a fit in a chain clothing store just yesterday. They're selling wire and fiber woven earrings - a typical handmade design, now being mass produced in China or Taiwan. My husband dragged me out "before I offended the staff". It's not their fault, but they should also be aware of what they're selling.
I've also noticed bib necklaces with "bead embroidery" in fashion magazines recently. They're being sold by the armload at assorted chain stores, so you know they're not being made by true artists, or for a fair wage.
Some people will always prefer the cheapest possible product, but I believe that a lack of knowledge for the quality alternative is what keeps these awful companies in business.
Chin up! Your true fans are worth 1000 of their customers.
Dang it!! Another one. That is totally not right. I am so sorry Kandice.
ReplyDeleteKandice. I'm so sorry, what an ass. I have other words, but will contain myself. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThis sort of thing makes me angry,I too have been stung and refuse to deal with Indian suppliers.
ReplyDeleteTip, right click disable your photos on your website, I do this with all mine now.
I don't think you have the same controls in a blog but just add a watermark to your photos before uploading to your blog page they will have a harder job editing any of the watermark with photoshop and probably won't even bother.
Hope this helps...